affectation
1 use
She is comfortable in her own skin and meets strangers without affectation.
affectation = behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
bronze
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
bronze won't corrode in salt water
The sculpture of a bull on Wall Street is made of bronze.
bronze = a brownish metal that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Definition
Generally this sense of bronze means:a brownish-colored metal with red or yellow hues that is made of copper and (usually) tin
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 5 |
censure
1 use
They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.
censured = formally criticized
Definition
Generally censure means:harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization — such as the U.S. Senate
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
complacent
1 use
She had become complacent after years of success.
complacent = unworried and satisfied
Definition
Generally complacent means:contented (unworried and satisfied) — often to a fault
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
conciliatory
1 use
Their statements are conciliatory, but their actions are uncompromising.
conciliatory = intended to end bad feelings or build trust
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
defer
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
deferred to her wishes
I defer to her expertise.
defer = submit
Definition
Generally this sense of defer means:submit or yield (typically to another person's opinion because of respect for that person or their knowledge)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
deter
2 uses
She was slow to decide what to do, but once she did nothing could deter her from her chosen course of action.
deter = discourage (prevent)
Definition
Generally deter means:try to prevent; or prevent
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
emerge
21 uses
China recently emerged as a world power.
emerged = came out (became)
Definition
Generally emerge means:to come out, or to appear
Word Statistics
| Book | 21 uses |
| Library | 58 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
factor
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
factor it into your thinking
Did you factor maintenance costs into your budget?
factor = include consideration of
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
fastidious
1 use
She is fastidious in her work.
fastidious = careful and attentive to detail
Definition
Generally fastidious means:giving careful attention to detail
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
or:
excessively concerned with cleanliness or matters of taste
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 8 |
furtive
3 uses
She watched me in a furtive manner—trying to hide her interest.
furtive = cautious or taking pains to avoid being observed
Definition
Generally furtive means:taking pains to avoid being observed
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
or:
in a manner indicating nervousness (being cautious or appearing suspicious)
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
heresy
1 use
It is a hardline form of Sunni Islam that condemns all other strains as heresy.
heresy = something immoral
Definition
Generally heresy means:opinions or actions most people consider immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
innate
1 use
She has an innate musical talent that cannot be taught.
innate = present at birth
Definition
Generally innate means:of a quality: present at birth; or arising from within rather than having been learned or acquired
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 3 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
lethargic
1 use
I'm hoping a cold iced tea will help me get past this lethargic feeling.
lethargic = lacking energy
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 13 |
orthodox
2 uses
The new findings challenge orthodox views.
orthodox = normal
Definition
Generally orthodox means:normal (describing thinking or behavior as commonly or traditionally accepted)
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 10 |
ostentatious
1 use
Although wealthy, the family is not ostentatious.
ostentatious = showy (trying to attract notice and impress others in a manner seen as in bad taste)
Definition
Generally ostentatious means:intended to attract notice and impress others — especially with wealth in a vulgar way
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 7 |
refute
1 use
The speaker refuted his opponent's arguments.
refuted = argued against
Definition
Generally refute means:to disprove or argue against
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | A.N. |
secular
1 use
Many countries of the Middle East and North Africa maintain a dual system of secular courts and religious courts, in which the religious courts mainly regulate marriage and inheritance.
secular = non-religious
Definition
Generally secular means:not religious
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
virulent
1 use
A virulent form of the infectious disease spread through the country.
virulent = very bad
Definition
Generally virulent means:of disease: very bad — perhaps very contagious
or
harsh or hateful
or
harsh or hateful
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Epil. |
zeal
1 use
She attacks each challenge with zeal.
zeal = active interest and enthusiasm
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |